Warrington
Wolves IMBRL 54
Oldham IMBRL 10
@ Hood Lane - 01/07/06 - Friendly
Warrington IMBRL registered a comprehensive win against new boys Oldham on a scorching hot day at Crosfields.
The Oldham side travelled to town without some of their more experienced Oldham St Annes players but even so, the Wolves were aware that a tough contest was in front of them.
With no other games taking place, the Wolves had the luxury of playing on Crosfields’ National Conference pitch, which with the summer heat wave was solid under foot making it a day for fast flowing football.
Going into the contest the Wolves had not been in combat for over a month and had their own selection concerns with a number of players on duty for Warrington Wizards.
However the side was raring to go come high noon and got stuck into the opposition from the word go after the Wolves soaked up early Oldham threats.
Once Warrington had got into their stride the game plan kicked into life as half-backs Craig Middlemore and Andy Hawley began to run the show, so much so that by the end of the first half the duo had shared three tries between them.
Oldham had responded with a try in the corner following a good kick and at 14-4 the game was still in the melting pot going into the second-half.
The second stanza proved to be a one sided affair however with the Wolves going onto register 40 points with Middlemore rounding off a magnificent performance to take his try tally to four for the afternoon, whilst Hawley completed a hat-trick, Nat Ashurst added a brace and Kyle Holcroft and Jon Westwood also registered four pointers.
On a day when goal-kicking really went awry, four different players slotted home goals with Neil Ashurst, Westwood, Danny Elliott and Paul Arnison all supplying extras.
To their credit Oldham never took a backward step and were rewarded with a converted try on a day when the Wolves were delighted to welcome back Gareth Edwards, Ashley Whitfield and Keith Ryan to the squad.
The Wolves were best served by Middlemore, Hawley and Holcroft, whilst Nat Ashurst topped the tackle and drive count. Arnison and Rick Lenihan also made telling contributions in attack, whilst there were usual defensive performances from Neil Ashurst and John Williams.
Wolves
(1) Gareth Edwards (2T, 6HU)
(2) Matt Lawton (4T, 2HU)
(3) Johnny Knight (6T, 3HU)
(4) Mark Moore (8T, 4HU)
(5) Rick Lenihan (4T, 8HU)
(6) Andy Hawley (8T, 5HU, 3 tries)
(7) Craig Middlemore (7T, 5HU, 4 tries)
(8) John Williams (15T, 5HU)
(9) Kyle Holcroft (8T, 7HU, 1 try)
(10) Neil Ashurst (12T, 4HU, 1 goal)
(11) Jon Westwood (3T, 6HU, 1 try, 2 goals)
(12) Danny Elliott (7T, 4HU, 1 goal)
(13) Nat Ashurst (29T, 10HU, 2 tries)
Subs:
(14) Ashley Whitfield (4T, 2HU)
(15) Keith Ryan (7T, 4HU)
(16) John Spreadbury (5T, 6HU)
(17) Paul Arnison (3T, 8HU, 1 goal)
* Stats provided by Matt Lister